BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - DUBBED Sugar Mass 2010, a fair-sized crowd was on hand last night (Dec. 17) for what can be regarded as an electrifying opening of the 2010-2011 St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival.
This year’s Carnival, which is being handled by a new Committee, also saw its first staging at the Sugar Mill, formerly known as the Warner Park Football Stadium.
Members of the Committee signalled their intentions that patrons can look forward to a well-organised and improved standard of Carnival, as patrons were treated to a number of cultural items prior to witnessing performances by competitors of the Best of the Rest and Female Calypso Bacchanal Shows.
The decor of the stage, lighting of the venue and high-quality sounds made the opening ceremony one that many will always remember; all which were said by the Minister of Culture, Hon. Marcella Liburd to have been done by locals with excellent creative talents.
In delivering her address, Minister Liburd called on all to be very responsible in their behaviour, stressing the need for an incident free carnival.
“This is sweetness but I want us to be responsible, and that is why I say that the watchword this year should be responsible actions. Let us have sweet, but please ensure that you are responsible,” she said.
She urged the public to see Carnival as having a good time and acting responsible in whatever they do.
“Please, I want responsible dancing, responsible drinking and yes…zero violence. Let us have a sweet and responsible mass as I can tell you that come next year it will be bigger and better, as this year’s Carnival is a dry run of next year,” the Minister said.
Liburd was high in praise for a number of companies and individuals, stressing that the support and assistance given were remarkable. The Minister noted that she and her ministry remain grateful and thankful to all those who would have played a part in some way or the other in making the 2010/2011 National Carnival the success it is bent on achieving.
She also issued an appeal to parents and individuals to come out and support the shows.
Meanwhile, speaking with SKNVibes, Chairman of the St. Kitts Nevis Carnival Committee Clement O’Garro praised the members of his committee for what he termed a good and satisfactory job. He pointed out that his nine-member committee has performed their duties at a very high standard, declaring that because of their efficiency it has helped to make his job better and easier.
“I am very satisfied with the job by those on my committee, and I want to register my thanks and appreciation for what they have done,” the Chairman said.
O’Garro also noted that there were a number of challenges, declaring limited time of which to work was the greatest. He said he foresees the standard of Carnival growing by leaps and bounds and that he is surrounded by a team that is equally passionate and determined to ensure the standard continues to grow.
“We were faced with a number of challenges but I am very happy that we were able to confront those challenges, thus coming out feeling a great sense of satisfaction over what we have done,” he said.
O’Garro added that despite the economic challenges and difficulties being faced, the committee was able to increase the sponsorship support. He said a number of companies came forward with sponsorship assistance, exceeding what was received last year.
“The sponsorship that we got was very good and we were able to get companies like TDC onboard in a big way, and we are also very grateful for the continued support and assistance given by LIME,” he declared.
Identifying the members of his committee, Ogarro said his deputy is Shannon Hawley, Dr. Ken Ballantyne, Vincent Fough, Donna Morton, Nicole Gumbos, Ivor Blake, Lester Ible, Dennis Richards and Carol Boddie.
Among the attendees were the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian and a number of senior government officials.
